Endoscope and manufacturing method therefor

ABSTRACT

An endoscope is provided with a pliable tube having an integument layer made of a resin constituting an insertion portion and at least one slender tube element inserted through the insertion portion. The amount of contraction of the pliable tube after application of a thermal load during a high-pressure steam sterilization step is set larger than the amount of contraction of the tube element after application of a thermal load during the high-pressure steam sterilization step.

This application claims benefit of Japanese Application No. 2001-195131filed on Jun. 27, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated by thisreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an endoscope including a flexiblepliable tube in an insertion portion wherein at least one slender tubeelement is installed in this pliable tube, and a manufacturing methodtherefor.

2. Description of Related Art

Hitherto, medical endoscopes have been used widely, wherein organs inbody cavities, etc., can be observed by inserting slender insertionportions in the body cavities and, if necessary, various therapeutictreatments can be performed using endo-therapy products inserted throughendo-therapy product channels.

In particular, regarding the endoscope used in a medical field, byinserting the insertion portion in the body cavity, observation oforgans, etc., is performed and various therapies and treatments areperformed using endo-therapy products inserted through the endo-therapyproduct channel of the endoscope. Consequently, when an endoscope andendo-therapy product used once have been reused for other patients, ithas been necessary to perform cleaning and disinfection after aninspection and treatment has been completed for reasons of necessity toprevent cross infection between patients through the endoscope andendo-therapy product.

In recent years, inexpensive autoclave sterilization (high-pressuresteam sterilization) has become the mainstream of the disinfection andsterilization treatments of medical equipment, wherein no complicatedoperation attends, it is possible to use immediately aftersterilization, and a running cost is low.

Consequently, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.10-276968, an endoscope is disclosed, in which in order that a built-intube does not contract during high-pressure steam sterilization with anautoclave and that an adequate sterilization treatment can be performedrepeatedly, a tube made of fluororesin is used as a pliable tube builtin for passing through a fluid, endo-therapy product, or the like, andthe tube made of fluororesin is subjected to an annealing treatmentbefore being incorporated into the endoscope.

However, the aforementioned tube is difficult to contract completelyduring the annealing treatment because of, for example, differences inmaterial properties, such as thermal deformation temperatures and glasstransition temperatures, differences in structures, such as thematerial, which may be a solid material or foam, constituting the tube,and differences in manufacturing methods. That is, for example, sometubes do not contract unless very high temperature is applied, and sometubes need long-duration annealing. Regarding these tubes, even when theannealing treatment was performed at a temperature slightly higher thanthat in the high-pressure steam sterilization step, sometimes, the tubeshrank more than the condition desired because the high-pressure steamsterilization step was performed repeatedly over the long term.

Furthermore, when the tube shrank more than the condition desired, itwas feared that an excessive force was applied to the connectionportions at both ends of the tube and, therefore, breakage was broughtabout, or the tube was pulled in the insertion portion and, therefore,inconvenience was brought about in the shape of a curve of a curvedportion installed at the tip side of the insertion portion.

The present invention was made in consideration of the aforementionedcircumstances. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an endoscope in which inconvenience brought about due tocontraction of a tube element built in an insertion portion duringhigh-pressure steam sterilization is prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An endoscope according to the present invention is an endoscope providedwith a pliable tube having an integument layer made of a resinconstituting an insertion portion and at least one slender tube elementwhich is inserted through the aforementioned insertion portion, whereinthe amount of contraction of the aforementioned pliable tube afterapplication of a thermal load during a high-pressure steam sterilizationstep is set larger than the amount of contraction of the aforementionedtube element after the application of the thermal load during thehigh-pressure steam sterilization step.

According to this configuration, when the tube element built in theinsertion portion contracts due to the thermal load during thehigh-pressure steam sterilization step, the pliable tube contracts by anamount equivalent to or more than the amount of contraction of the tubeelement at the same time and, therefore, the relationship in lengthbetween the tube element and the pliable tube, on which this tubeelement is fixed directly or indirectly, is similar to that in theinitial condition or there is a tendency of the tube element to sag. Theabove and other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbecome more clearly understood from the following description referringto the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an endoscopeapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view for explaining the configuration of apliable tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining built-in materials inserted through apliable tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the installment conditions in aninsertion portion of a tube element according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams for explaining the amount ofcontraction of a tube element according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the condition of the tube in the initialcondition, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the condition of the tubeafter high-pressure steam sterilization.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams for explaining the amount ofcontraction of a pliable tube according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the condition of the pliable tube in theinitial condition, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the condition of thepliable tube after high-pressure steam sterilization.

FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, and FIG. 7D are diagrams for explaining aformation step of a pliable tube according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an assembly in which a helical tube and amesh-shaped tube in the natural length conditions are combined. FIG. 7Bis a diagram showing the assembly extended by a predetermined length,FIG. 7C is a diagram showing the pliable tube formed by applying acovering of integument layer to the extended assembly, and FIG. 7D is adiagram showing the pliable tube in the condition of being shrunkenafter high-pressure steam sterilization.

FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, and FIG. 8D are diagrams for explaininganother formation step of a pliable tube according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an assembly in which a helical tube and amesh-shaped tube in the natural length conditions are combined, FIG. 8Bis a diagram showing the assembly in the condition of being providedwith an integument layer, FIG. 8C is a diagram showing the pliable tubeformed by extending the assembly covered with the integument layer, andFIG. 8D is a diagram showing the pliable tube in the condition of beingshrunken after high-pressure steam sterilization.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are sectional views for explaining the configurationof a pliable tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view explaining a helical tube and a mesh-shapedtube in the natural length conditions. FIG. 9B is a sectional viewexplaining the pliable tube in the pliable tube formation conditions.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are sectional views for explaining anotherconfiguration of a pliable tube according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10A is a sectional view explaining a helical tube in the naturallength conditions. FIG. 10B is a sectional view explaining the pliabletube in the pliable tube formation conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments according to the present invention will be describedbelow with reference to the drawings.

The embodiments regarding endoscopes, in which inconvenience broughtabout due to contraction of a tube element built in an insertion portionduring high-pressure steam sterilization is prevented, will bedescribed.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 8D are diagrams for explaining endoscopes according tothose embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configurationof an endoscope apparatus. FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view forexplaining the configuration of a pliable tube. FIG. 3 is a diagram forexplaining built-in materials inserted through a pliable tube. FIG. 4 isa diagram for explaining the installment conditions in an insertionportion of a tube element. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams forexplaining the amount of contraction of a tube element. FIG. 6A and FIG.6B are diagrams for explaining the amount of contraction of a pliabletube. FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D are diagrams for explaining a formation step ofa pliable tube. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D are diagrams for explaining anotherformation step of a pliable tube.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an assembly in which a helical tube and amesh-shaped tube in the natural length conditions are combined. FIG. 7Bis a diagram showing the assembly extended by a predetermined length.FIG. 7C is a diagram showing the pliable tube formed by applying acovering of integument layer to the extended assembly. FIG. 7D is adiagram showing the pliable tube in the condition of being shrunkenafter high-pressure steam sterilization. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing anassembly in which a helical tube and a mesh-shaped tube in the naturallength conditions are combined. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing theassembly in the condition of being provided with an integument layer.FIG. 8C is a diagram showing the pliable tube formed by extending theassembly covered with the integument layer. FIG. 8D is a diagram showingthe pliable tube in the condition of being shrunken after high-pressuresteam sterilization.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the presentembodiment is primarily composed of an electronic endoscope (hereaftersimply referred to as endoscope) 2 provided with an image pickup device,light equipment 3 for supplying illumination light, a video processor 5which controls the image pickup device and which treats signals attainedfrom the aforementioned image pickup device, and a monitor 6 connectedto this video processor 5. Reference numeral 34 denotes a container casefor sterilization, described later, which contains this endoscope 2.

The aforementioned endoscope 2 is composed of a slender insertionportion 7 having pliability, a control portion 8 connected to the baseend portion of this insertion portion 7, and a universal cord 9 whichhas pliability and which extends from the side of this control portion8.

A connector 10, which is freely attached to or detached from theaforementioned light equipment 3, is installed at the end portion of theaforementioned universal cord 9. By connecting this connector 10 to thelight equipment 3, illumination light from a lamp, although not shown inthe drawing, provided on the light equipment 3 is transmitted through alight guide, although not shown in the drawing, of the endoscope 2 and,therefore, radiates an observation section.

A folding-preventing member 12 of the insertion portion, which iscomposed of an elastic member and which is for preventing tight turning,is installed at the joint portion of the aforementioned insertionportion 7 and the control portion 8. Likewise, a folding-preventingmember 13 of the control portion is installed at the joint portion ofthe aforementioned control portion 8 and the universal cord 9. Likewise,a folding-preventing member 14 of the connector is installed at thejoint portion of the universal cord 9 and the connector 10.

The slender insertion portion 7 having pliability of the aforementionedendoscope 2 is configured to install succeedingly a hard tip portion 17provided with, for example, an observation window, illumination window,etc., although not shown in the drawing, at the tip surface, a curvedportion 16 in which a plurality of bending parts are connectedsucceedingly and which is curved freely, and a pliable tube 15 havingpliability in that order from the tip side. The aforementioned curvedportion 16 is curved by operating appropriately a curve control knob 30installed on the control portion 8, and the tip surface of the tipportion 17 provided with the observation window, etc., can be faced adesired direction.

The aforementioned control portion 8 is provided with a gas supply andwater supply operation button 28, a suction operation button 29, aplurality of remote switches 31, and 31 for remotely controlling theaforementioned video processor 5, and an endo-therapy product insertionhole 32 communicating with an endo-therapy product channel installed inthe insertion portion of the endoscope 2 in addition to theaforementioned curve control knob 30. The gas supply and water supplyoperation button 28 is a button for performing a gas supply operation orwater supply operation when a cleaning liquid or gas is ejected towardthe aforementioned observation window from a gas supply and water supplynozzle, although not shown in the drawing, installed on the tip surface.The suction operation button 29 is a button for performing a suctionoperation through a suction hole, although not shown in the drawing,installed on the tip surface.

An electric connector portion 11 is installed on the side portion of theaforementioned connector 10. A signal connector 4 of a signal cordconnected to the aforementioned video processor 5 is connected to theelectric connector portion 11 while being free to attach or detach. Byconnecting this signal connector 4 to the video processor 5, the imagepickup device of the endoscope 2 is controlled and, in addition, byproducing image signals from electric signals transmitted from thisimage pickup device, an endoscope observation image is displayed on thescreen of the aforementioned monitor 6. A vent hole, although not shownin the drawing, communicating the inside and outside of the endoscope 2is installed in the electric connector portion 11. Consequently, theelectric connector portion 11 of the endoscope 2 is configured in orderthat a waterproof cap 33 with a pressure control valve (hereafterabbreviated as waterproof cap) provided with the pressure control valve(not shown in the drawing) for blocking the aforementioned vent hole isfree to attach or detach.

This connector 10 is provided with a gas supply base 21 connected to agas supply source, although not shown in the drawing, built in the lightequipment 3 while being free to attach or detach, a base 23 forpressurizing a water supply tank 22 and a liquid supply base 24connected to the water supply tank, which is a liquid supply tank, whilebeing free to attach or detach, a suction base 25 connected to a suctionsource, although not shown in the drawing, in order to perform suctionfrom the aforementioned suction hole, and an injection base 26 connectedto a water supply device, although not shown in the drawing, in order toperform supply of water.

Furthermore, this connector 10 is provided with an earth terminal base27 in order to return a leakage current to a high-frequency treatmentapparatus, although not shown in the drawing, when the high-frequencyleakage current is generated in the endoscope 2 during performance ofthe high-frequency treatment, etc.

The aforementioned endoscope 2 is configured to be capable of undergoinghigh-pressure steam sterilization after being used for an observation ora treatment and being cleaned. When this endoscope 2 is subjected to thehigh-pressure steam sterilization, the aforementioned waterproof cap 33is fitted to the electric connector portion 11.

When the aforementioned endoscope 2 is subjected to the high-pressuresteam sterilization, this endoscope 2 is contained in a container case34 for sterilization. This container case 34 for sterilization iscomposed of a tray 35, which is a case body, and a cover member 36. Thistray 35 is provided with a regulation member corresponding to the shapeof the endoscope, although not shown in the drawing, in order that eachof the insertion portion 7, control portion 8, universal cord 9,connector 10, etc., of the endoscope 2 is located at a predeterminedposition.

A plurality of vent holes for introducing high-pressure steam are formedin these tray 35 and cover member 36.

As shown in FIG. 2, a helical tube 37 which constitutes the innermostlayer and which is formed by helically winding a thin band-shaped pieceof metal, a mesh-shaped tube 38, and a integument layer 39 integrallyinstalled covering the outer perimeter of this mesh-shaped tube 38 arelaminated and, therefore, the aforementioned pliable tube 15 is formed.The mesh-shaped tube 38 is formed into the shape of a tube by knitting athin metal wire, knitting a thin non-metal wire, or knitting them, eachbeing installed covering the outer perimeter of this helical tube 37.The aforementioned integument layer 39 is formed from a resin material,for example, a thermoplastic elastomer.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of slender built-in materials areinserted through the insertion portion 7 including the aforementionedpliable tube 15. These built-in materials includes curve control wires40 which are made of a metal and which are moved forward or backward bythe operation of the aforementioned curve control knob 30 in order tobring about curving action of the aforementioned curved portion 16 in,for example, the vertical or horizontal direction, a wire-covered coil41 which is made of a metal and which covers these curve control wires40 in the condition of being inserted movably, a light guide 42 made ofan optical fiber bundle for supplying illumination light, a gas supplytube 43 and a water supply tube 44 which are tube elements fortransporting fluids and which are formed from PTFE, etc., a channel tubefor inserting a endo-therapy product (hereafter referred to asendo-therapy product tube) 45 which serves as a channel for insertingthe endo-therapy product and also serves as a suction pipeline of thefluids, a plurality of electric cables 46, and the like.

The aforementioned gas supply tube 43, water supply tube 44, andendo-therapy product tube 45 are fixed to, for example, connection pipes18 described below, which are connection portions installed individuallyat the control portion 8 and the tip portion 17 connected succeedinglyto both ends of the insertion portion 7.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, one end of the aforementionedendo-therapy product tube 45 is connected and is fixed to the connectionpipe 18 fixed to the tip portion 17. On the other hand, the other end ofthe aforementioned endo-therapy product tube 45 is connected and isfixed to a branch member 19 having the aforementioned endo-therapyproduct insertion hole 32.

The aforementioned branch member 19 is fixed integrally to a base,although not shown in the drawing, installed at the base end of thepliable tube 15 with the control portion 8 therebetween. Theaforementioned tip portion 17 is fixed integrally to a base, althoughnot shown in the drawing, installed at the tip of the pliable tube 15with the aforementioned curved portion 16 therebetween.

Under this fixing condition, for example, when the aforementionedendo-therapy product tube 45 contracts, a force which brings about thecurving action of the aforementioned curved portion 16 in any directionis effected through the tip portion 17. According to this, inconvenienceoccurs in that the curved portion 16 is curved in an unintendeddirection, the amount of control force required for the curvingoperation is increased, and the like.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the condition of a tube in the initialcondition, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the condition of the tubeafter high-pressure steam sterilization. As shown in FIG. 5B, when theendoscope 2 is subjected to high-pressure steam sterilizationrepeatedly, the lengths of the aforementioned gas supply tube 43, watersupply tube 44, and endo-therapy product tube 45 become L2 becausecontraction occurs individually in the longitudinal direction comparedwith the length L1 in the initial condition due to thermal loads duringthis high-pressure steam sterilization. These amounts of contraction ofthe gas supply tube 43, water supply tube 44, and endo-therapy producttube 45 are X1, X2, and X3, respectively.

The aforementioned amounts of contraction are brought about because inmanufacture, the aforementioned tubes 43, 44, and 45 are molded underthe condition of being pulled during molding, for example, extruding,and because these tubes 43, 44, and 45 become in the condition of beingable to deform by thermal loads and, therefore, stresses are released.

In consideration of these, regarding the pliable tube 15 according tothe present embodiment, the amount of contraction when a thermal load isapplied during the step of high-pressure steam sterilization is setlarger than the amount of contraction of the aforementioned gas supplytube 43, water supply tube 44, and endo-therapy product tube 45.

Herein, the length of the pliable tube 15 is assumed to change from thelength L1 in the initial condition to the length L2 after thehigh-pressure steam sterilization, and the amount of contraction of thepliable tube 15 due to the thermal load of the high-pressure steamsterilization is assumed to be Y as shown in FIG. 6B. Then, thefollowing relationships are set between this Y and the aforementionedX1, X2, and X3.Y≧X 1, Y≧X 2, and Y≧X 3

In order to set these relationships between the aforementioned pliabletube 15 and the tubes 43, 44, and 45, a thermal load of thehigh-pressure steam sterilization is applied to the aforementioned tubes43, 44, and 45, and amounts of contraction X1, X2, and X3 are measuredand determined by calculation in advance. Subsequently, the pliable tube15 is formed in order that the amount of contraction Y of theaforementioned pliable tube 15 becomes greater than the amounts ofcontraction X1, X2, and X3 of those tubes 43, 44, and 45.

Herein, the formation step of the pliable tube 15 will be described.

The resin material for forming the integument layer 39 of theaforementioned pliable tube 15 is selected in consideration of usageconditions, for example, durability, insertion property into the bodycavity, etc., during use, and resistance against agents, etc., used forcleaning and disinfection. In the present embodiment, when the resinmaterial for forming the aforementioned integument layer 39 is selected,in addition to the aforementioned usage conditions, the one having sucha thermal deformation temperature that deformation is brought about by athermal load during high-pressure steam sterilization is selected.Herein, a temperature, at which a resin can be deformed by a thermalload during high-pressure steam sterilization, is defined as a thermaldeformation temperature H for the sake of convenience.

When the resin material for the integument layer 39 is selected, sincethe upper limit of the temperature during a general high-pressure steamsterilization step is on the order of 140° C., the integument layer 39is formed from, for example, the one primarily containing ester-basedthermoplastic elastomer which is a resin material satisfying H≦140° C.

On the other hand, regarding the helical tube 37 and the mesh-shapedtube 38 constituting the aforementioned pliable tube 15, assembling isperformed in the pliable tube formation conditions in which thesehelical tube 37 and mesh-shaped tube 38 are brought about in thecondition of being extended compared with being in the natural lengthconditions.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, an assembly 50 is formed in which thehelical tube 37 and mesh-shaped tube 38 are combined. As shown in FIG.7B, a tensile force is applied to this assembly 50 in the axis directionand, therefore, the assembly 50 a extended by a length Z compared withbeing in the natural length conditions is formed. At this time, thelength Z is an amount satisfying the condition that the amount ofcontraction Y of the pliable tube 15 during high-pressure steamsterilization ≧X1 (≧X2, ≧X3), and is the value larger than at least Y.

As shown in FIG. 7C, a molten resin for forming the integument layer 39is extruded while the extended assembly 50 a is a core material and,therefore, this assembly 50 a is covered with the resin. Subsequently,the resin is held until curing is completed. By curing the resin, adesired pliable tube 15 is formed in which the assembly 50 extended by Zcompared with being in the natural length conditions is covered with theintegument layer 39.

Regarding the step later than that shown in FIG. 7B, the pliable tube 15may be formed by applying a covering of the tube element made of theresin which becomes the integument layer 39 to the assembly 50 a of theaforementioned helical tube 37 and mesh-shaped tube 38.

Furthermore, when a covering of the integument layer 39 is applied, theassembly 50 composed of the aforementioned helical tube 37 andmesh-shaped tube 38 may be kept in the condition of being extended by apredetermined amount compared with being in the natural lengthconditions by applying a tensile force in the axis direction, a coveringof the integument layer 39 may be applied by extrusion and, therefore,the pliable tube 15 may be formed.

As the resin constituting the aforementioned integument layer 39, it isbetter to select a resin satisfying the usage conditions from anamide-based thermoplastic elastomer, styrene-based resin, fluorine-basedrubber, silicon-based rubber or a resin material made by blending them.

Regarding the pliable tube 15, gas supply tube 43, water supply tube 44,and endo-therapy product tube 45, speeds of contraction may varydepending on the materials, structures, and manufacturing methodstherefor. Consequently, it is desirable that regarding the pliable tube15, gas supply tube 43, water supply tube 44, and endo-therapy producttube 45, respective initial dimensions, materials, structures, andmanufacturing methods are selected based on the amounts of contractionwhen loads are applied up to the endurance examples limit of theendoscope 2 against high-pressure steam sterilization.

In the present embodiment, only the pliable tube 15 constituting theinsertion portion 7 is described. However, similar configuration may beadopted regarding the pliable tube constituting the universal cord 9 anda gas supply tube, water supply tube, and suction tube, although notshown in the drawing, installed therein.

Actions when the endoscope 2 configured as described above is subjectedto high-pressure steam sterilization will be described.

First, typical conditions for high-pressure steam sterilization will bedescribed.

Regarding the typical conditions, in the U.S. standard ANSI/AAMIST37-1992 approved by American National Standards Institute and issuedby Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, thesterilization step is specified to be at 132° C. for 4 minutes inprevacuum type, and the sterilization step is specified to be at 132° C.for 10 minutes in gravity type.

Although the temperature condition during the sterilization step ofhigh-pressure steam sterilization varies depending on the form ofhigh-pressure steam sterilization apparatuses and the time of thesterilization step, in general, it is set within the range on the orderof 115° C. to 138° C. Some sterilization apparatuses can be set at onthe order of 142° C.

The time condition varies depending on the temperature condition duringthe sterilization step. In general, it is set at on the order of 3 to 60minutes. Some sorts of sterilization apparatuses can be set at on theorder of 100 minutes.

The pressure in a sterilization chamber during this step is generallyset at on the order of +0.2 MPa relative to atmospheric pressure.

Next, the high-pressure steam sterilization step of the endoscope ingeneral prevacuum type will be described briefly.

The endoscope 2, which is a target apparatus for sterilization and inwhich the waterproof cap 33 is fitted to the electric connector portion11, is contained in the container case 34 for sterilization, and isplaced in the sterilization chamber. By fitting the waterproof cap 33 tothe aforementioned electric connector portion 11, the pressure controlvalve becomes in the condition of being closed and, therefore, theaforementioned vent holes are blocked. That is, the inside of theendoscope 2 and the outside are closed with watertightness.Subsequently, the inside of the sterilization chamber before thehigh-pressure steam sterilization step is made to be in the condition ofreduced pressure (prevacuum step).

This prevacuum step is a step for making steam penetrate into detail ofthe target apparatus for sterilization during the sterilization step,and by reducing the pressure in the sterilization chamber, high-pressurehigh-temperature steam goes throughout the target apparatus forsterilization. In general, the pressure in the sterilization chamberduring this prevacuum step is set at on the order of −0.07 to −0.09 MParelative to atmospheric pressure.

However, when the pressure in the sterilization chamber is reducedduring the prevacuum step, the external pressure becomes lower than theinternal pressure of the endoscope 2 and, therefore, pressure differenceoccurs. Then, the pressure control valve of the aforementionedwaterproof cap 33 is opened and, therefore, the inside of the endoscope2 and the outside become in the condition of being communicated with theaforementioned vent holes therebetween. According to this, occurrence ofa large pressure difference is prevented. That is, it is prevented thatthe endoscope 2 is broken due to the pressure difference between theinternal pressure and the external pressure.

Subsequently, high-pressure high-temperature steam is supplied into thesterilization chamber and, therefore, sterilization is performed(sterilization step).

In this sterilization step, the inside of the sterilization chamber ispressurized. Then, such a pressure difference that the external pressurebecomes higher than the internal pressure of the endoscope 2 occurs.Consequently, the pressure control valve of the aforementionedwaterproof cap 33 is closed and, therefore, penetration of high-pressuresteam into the inside of the endoscope through the vent holes isinterrupted.

However, the high-pressure steam passes through the integument layer 39of the aforementioned pliable tube 15 formed from a macromolecularmaterial, an O-ring which is a seal device installed at the jointportion of the outer sheath material of the endoscope 2 and which isformed from fluororubber, silicon rubber, etc., and the like and,therefore, gradually penetrates into the inside of the endoscope.

At this time, the outer sheath material of the endoscope 2 becomes inthe condition that a pressure has been generated, in which the pressurereduced in the prevacuum step and the pressure increased in thesterilization step are added and which trends from the outside towardthe inside.

Subsequently, after the sterilization step is completed, in order to drythe target apparatus for sterilization after sterilization, the insideof the sterilization chamber is made to be in the reduced pressurecondition again and, therefore, drying (drying step) is performed. Inthis drying step, the pressure in the sterilization chamber is reduced,the steam is removed from the inside of the sterilization chamber and,therefore, drying of the target apparatus for sterilization in thesterilization chamber is accelerated. In general, the pressure in thesterilization chamber during this drying step is set at on the order of−0.07 MPa to −0.09 MPa relative to atmospheric pressure. Theaforementioned drying step is performed arbitrarily if necessary.

In the pressure reduction step after the sterilization step, thepressure in the sterilization chamber is reduced, the external pressurebecomes lower than the internal pressure of the endoscope 2 and,therefore, pressure difference occurs. When this pressure differenceoccurs, at nearly the same time, the pressure control valve of theaforementioned waterproof cap 33 is opened and, therefore, the inside ofthe endoscope 2 and the outside become in the condition of beingcommunicated with the vent holes therebetween. According to this,occurrence of a large pressure difference between the inside of theendoscope and the outside is prevented. When the pressure reduction stepis completed, the inside of the sterilization chamber is pressurizedand, therefore, such a pressure difference that the external pressurebecomes higher than the internal pressure of the endoscope 2 occurs, thepressure control valve of the aforementioned waterproof cap 33 isclosed.

When all steps of high-pressure steam sterilization are completed, theouter sheath material of the endoscope 2 becomes in the condition that apressure, which is the pressure reduced in the pressure reduction stepand which trends from the outside toward the inside, has been generated.Thereafter, by removing the waterproof cap 33 from the electricconnector portion 11, the inside of the endoscope 2 and the outside arecommunicated through the aforementioned vent holes and, therefore, theinside of the endoscope 2 becomes at atmospheric pressure, and the loaddue to the pressure difference which has been brought about in the outersheath material of the endoscope 2 is eliminated.

When the endoscope 2 configured as described above is sterilizedrepeatedly by high-pressure steam sterilization, the gas supply tube 43,water supply tube 44, and endo-therapy product tube 45 contract by X1,X2, and X3, respectively, due to thermal loads.

On the other hand, when the thermal load of high-pressure steamsterilization is applied to the aforementioned pliable tube 15, thetemperature of the integument layer 39 becomes equivalent to or morethan the thermal deformation temperature and, therefore, it becomespossible to thermally deform. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 7D, thepliable tube 15 is deformed in the direction of contraction of theintegument layer 39 and, in addition, the helical tube 37 and themesh-shaped tube 38 are also deformed in the direction of contraction.At this time, since the helical tube 37 and the mesh-shaped tube 38 areincorporated while being extended by Z (≧Y) compared with being in thenatural length conditions, the aforementioned pliable tube 15 contractsby Y as a whole.

Since the relationships Y≧X1, Y≧X2, and Y≧X3 are set between respectiveamounts of contraction X1, X2, and X3 of these tubes 43, 44, and 45 andthe amount of contraction Y of the pliable tube 15, even when the tubes43, 44, and 45 contract, the aforementioned pliable tube 15 contracts byan amount equivalent to or more than those of the tubes 43, 44, and 45.Consequently, it is prevented that the length dimensions of theaforementioned gas supply tube 43, water supply tube 44, andendo-therapy product tube 45 become relatively small relative to thepliable tube 15 fixed indirectly and, therefore, the tubes become alwaysin the condition of being sagged.

As described above, by setting the predetermined relationship betweenthe amount of contraction of the pliable tube and the amounts ofcontraction of the tubes installed while being inserted through theinsertion portion, when high-pressure steam sterilization is performedrepeatedly, the tubes installed while being inserted through theinsertion portion can be prevented from being pulled.

According to this, problems in that excessive forces are applied to thejoint portions fixing end portions of these tubes, tubes are broken dueto fatigue, inconvenience occurs in the shape of the curved portionduring curving operation, the amount of control force is increased, andthe like are overcome.

Since it can be prevented that the amounts of sagging of the gas supplytube 43, water supply tube 44, and endo-therapy product tube 45 relativeto the pliable tube fixed indirectly become smaller than predeterminedvalues, in curving operation or in the condition that the pliable tubeis curved, these gas supply tube 43, water supply tube 44, andendo-therapy product tube 45 are moved freely in the pliable tube and,therefore, it is prevented that the light guide, electric cables, etc.,are broken due to pressure.

According to these, durability of the built-in materials of theendoscope is improved and, in addition, operational ease of theendoscope is improved.

Furthermore, the pliable tube 15 may be formed as shown in FIG. 8A toFIG. 8D.

When the aforementioned pliable tube 15 is assembled, as shown in FIG.8A, an assembly 50 is formed, in which the helical tube 37 andmesh-shaped tube 38 are combined. As shown in FIG. 8B, a molten resinfor forming the integument layer 39 is extruded while this assembly 50is a core material and, therefore, the assembly 50 is covered.

Subsequently, while the aforementioned integument layer 39 is cooled andis solidified completely, a tensile force is applied to the assembly 50covered with the integument layer 39 in the axis direction, the assembly50 is extended by Z (≧Y) compared with being in the natural lengthconditions, and is held. According to this, by curing the integumentlayer 39, a desired pliable tube 15 is formed in which the assembly 50extended by Z compared with being in the natural length conditions iscovered with the integument layer 39 as shown in FIG. 8C.

When the thermal load of high-pressure steam sterilization is applied tothe pliable tube 15 thus formed, the temperature of the integument layer39 becomes equivalent to or more than the thermal deformationtemperature and, therefore, it becomes possible to deform. Consequently,the helical tube 37, the mesh-shaped tube 38, and the integument layer39, which have been incorporated while being extended compared withbeing in the natural length conditions, contract and, therefore, thepliable tube 15 contracts by Y as a whole.

By thus forming the pliable tube, when the pliable tube contracts, sincethe amount of contraction of the integument layer relative to thenatural length conditions is small compared with that in theaforementioned method, a compressive stress applied to the inside of theintegument layer can be reduced and, therefore, durability of theintegument layer, that is, the pliable tube, can be improved.

Any one of or all of the aforementioned gas supply tube 43, water supplytube 44, and endo-therapy product tube 45 may be subjected to anannealing treatment in advance of assembling at a temperature at which athermal road is similar to the thermal road in the high-pressure steamsterilization step and, therefore, may contract by a specified amount.According to this, the absolute values of the amounts of contraction X1,X2, and X3 become small, the range of the amount of contraction Y isincreased and, therefore, flexibility in selection of the material,structure, and manufacturing method of the pliable tube 15 is increased.In addition, since the amount of contraction Y can also be reduced, theamount of change between at the initial condition and at high-pressuresteam sterilization becomes small.

Contrary to the above description, the pliable tube 15 may be annealedin advance and, therefore, may contract by a specified amount within therange of the number of endurance examples of the endoscope 2 againsthigh-pressure steam sterilization and within the range satisfying therelationships Y≧X1, Y≧X2, and Y≧X3.

Next, an embodiment related to an endoscope, in which even whenhigh-pressure steam sterilization is performed repeatedly, it isprevented that the inner diameter of the pliable tube is changed in thedirection of contraction and inconvenience occurs in the built-inmaterials, that is, the inner diameter dimension remains in thecondition as it is or becomes in the condition that the diameter isenlarged, will be described.

In the present embodiment, the pliable tube is formed in order that whenthe pliable tube 15 is applied with the thermal load duringhigh-pressure steam sterilization and, thereafter, is returned toambient temperature, the inner diameter becomes equivalent to or morethan the inner diameter before application of the thermal load.

The configuration of a pliable tube according to the present embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B which arediagrams for explaining the configuration of the pliable tube.

Regarding the pliable tube 15A according to the present embodiment,since the helical tube 37 and the mesh-shaped tube 38 are extendedduring the manufacturing step compared with being in the natural lengthconditions as described above, the inner diameter dimension has beenreduced compared with that in the natural condition because of thestructure thereof. That is, as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, in thepliable tube formation conditions, the aforementioned helical tube 37and the mesh-shaped tube 38 are integrated with the integument layer 39while being in the condition that the diameter is reduced to φd (FIG.9B) smaller than φD (FIG. 9A) which is the inner diameter in the naturallength conditions, and that condition is maintained and fixed.

Consequently, when the thermal load of high-pressure steam sterilizationis applied to the pliable tube 15, the temperature of the integumentlayer 39 becomes equivalent to or more than the thermal deformationtemperature and, therefore, it becomes possible to deform. Regardingthis sterilization step of high-pressure steam sterilization, a pressureof about 0.2 MPa is applied in the gravity type sterilization apparatusand a pressure of about 0.3 MPa is applied in the prevacuum typesterilization apparatus from the external side to the internal side ofthe pliable tube 15 and, therefore, a force is exerted in the directionof diameter reduction of the aforementioned pliable tube 15.

However, in the helical tube 37 and mesh-shaped tube 38 incorporatedwhile the diameters have been reduced relative to the natural condition,since the force in the direction of diameter increase, which is a forcetending to return to the natural condition, is always exerted, thisforce opposes the aforementioned force in the direction of diameterreduction and, therefore, the inner diameter is not reduced by a largedegree in the aforementioned pressurized condition. In addition, whenthe aforementioned pressurized condition is completed, only the force inthe direction of diameter increase is exerted on the helical tube 37 andmesh-shaped tube 38, and when the pliable tube 15 is cooled, theintegument layer 39 becomes unable to deform. That is, the helical tube37, mesh-shaped tube 38, and the integument layer 39 are fixed whilebeing in this condition.

At this time, the inner diameters of the helical tube 37 and mesh-shapedtube 38 are kept and fixed to be equivalent to or more than the innerdiameter before application of the thermal load of the high-pressuresteam sterilization step although these vary depending on the coolingspeed of the aforementioned integument layer 39. Consequently, the innerdiameter dimension of the pliable tube 15 at ambient temperature afterapplication of the thermal load of the high-pressure steam sterilizationstep becomes equivalent to or more than the inner diameter dimension atambient temperature before application of the thermal load.

In the case of a prevacuum type sterilization step, since the pressurein the endoscope is generally kept in the condition of reduced pressureon the order of −0.09 MPa when the step is completed, it is desirablethat the pliable tube 15 is formed while the diameters of the helicaltube 37 and mesh-shaped tube 38 are reduced in order that a force ofabout 0.09 MPa or more is exerted on the helical tube 37 and mesh-shapedtube 38 in the direction of diameter increase.

Furthermore, in consideration of deformation in the pressurizedcondition, it is most reliable that the pliable tube 15 is formed inorder that a force of +0.2 MPa during pressuring in the gravity type orabout 0.29 MPa (0.2+0.09) or more in the prevacuum type in considerationof pressure difference between during pressuring and during pressurereduction is exerted in the direction of diameter increase.

As described above, by extending the helical tube and mesh-shaped tubecompared with being in the natural length conditions in advance duringthe manufacturing step, since these helical tube and mesh-shaped tubeare incorporated while the diameters are reduced relative to that in thenatural condition, a force is always exerted in the direction ofdiameter increase during high-pressure steam sterilization and,therefore, it is prevented with reliability that the inner diameter ofthe pliable tube becomes equivalent to or less than the inner diameterdimension at ambient temperature.

According to this, when high-pressure steam sterilization is performedrepeatedly, it is prevented that the inner diameter of the pliable tubeis reduced and, therefore, the built-in light guide, electric cables,and pipeline tubes are broken due to pressure.

Since an increase in filling factor of the built-in materials in theinsertion portion is prevented, a proper clearance is kept and,therefore, the built-in materials can move freely in the insertionportion.

According to these, it is prevented that the inner diameter dimension ofthe pliable tube contracts and the built-in materials are broken, andconsequently, an endoscope having excellent durability is provided.

Furthermore, regarding the pliable tube according to the aforementionedembodiment shown in FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D, in the pliable tube formationconditions, the integument layer, in addition to the aforementionedhelical tube and mesh-shaped tube, is extended compared with being inthe natural length conditions, the inner diameter of the integumentlayer is also in the condition of being reduced compared with the innerdiameter in the natural condition and, therefore, similar actions andeffects are achieved.

In the pliable tube formation conditions, the aforementioned helicaltube 37 may be configured to be the same as in the natural lengthconditions as shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B which are diagrams forexplaining another configuration of the pliable tube. Specifically, thepliable tube 15B according to the present embodiment has a configurationin which in order that the length dimension is set to be the same asthat in the natural length conditions, the interval P1 between theadjacent strips is specified to be P2 narrower than the interval in thenatural condition and, in addition, the helical tube 37, in which theinner diameter dimension has been reduced to φd smaller than the innerdiameter φD in the natural condition, is covered with the mesh-shapedtube 38 and the integument layer 39.

By thus configuring the pliable tube 15B, when the thermal load ofhigh-pressure steam sterilization is applied, the temperature of theintegument layer 39 becomes equivalent to or more than the thermaldeformation temperature and, therefore, it becomes possible to deform.Consequently, an action tending to return to the natural condition isexerted on the helical tube 37. According to this, the inner diameterdimension of the pliable tube 15 at ambient temperature afterapplication of the thermal load of the high-pressure steam sterilizationstep becomes equivalent to or more than the inner diameter dimension atambient temperature before application of the thermal load. However, atthis time, the interval between the adjacent strips is increased and,therefore, the total length is not changed.

As described above, since the diameter of the helical tube is reducedand the interval between the strips is configured to be a narrow width,in addition to the effects of the pliable tube shown in theaforementioned FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, it can be eliminated that the lengthof the pliable tube contracts due to high-pressure steam sterilization.

Furthermore, in a manner similar to that in the aforementioned helicaltube, when the length of the mesh-shaped tube is not changed from thatin the natural length conditions, the interval between adjacent knittedthin wires is specified to be smaller than that in the natural lengthconditions, and, therefore, the pliable tube is configured while theinner diameter is in the condition of being shrunken compared with thatin the natural condition, similar actions and effects can also beachieved.

The aforementioned configuration may be used for a multilayer helicaltube configured by combining helical tubes doubly or triply.

As described above, according to the present invention, the endoscope,in which the inconvenience brought about due to contraction of the tubeelement built in the insertion portion during high-pressure steamsterilization is prevented, is provided.

Having described the preferred embodiments of the invention referring tothe accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to those precise embodiments and variouschanges and modifications thereof could be made by one skilled in theart without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

1. An endoscope comprising a pliable tube having an integument layermade of a resin constituting an insertion portion and at least oneslender tube element inserted through the insertion portion, wherein:the amount of contraction of the pliable tube after application of athermal load during a high-pressure steam sterilization step is setlarger than the amount of contraction of the tube element after theapplication of the thermal load during the high-pressure steamsterilization step.
 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: thepliable tube comprises the integument layer and a metal tube installedintegrally on the inner perimeter surface side of the integument layer;the integument layer is formed from a resin having a thermal deformationtemperature equivalent to or less than a temperature applied during thehigh-pressure steam sterilization step; and the metal tube is formedunder pliable tube formation conditions while being extended comparedwith being in a natural length condition.
 3. The endoscope according toclaim 2, wherein: the metal tube comprises a helical tube formed from ametal strip and a mesh-shaped tube formed from a thin metal wire; and atleast one of the helical tube and the mesh-shaped tube is formed underthe pliable tube formation conditions while being extended compared withbeing in the natural length condition.
 4. The endoscope according toclaim 1, wherein the integument layer is formed from a resin having athermal deformation temperature equivalent to or less than a temperatureapplied during the high-pressure steam sterilization step, and theintegument layer is formed under pliable tube formation conditions whilebeing extended compared with being in a natural length condition.
 5. Theendoscope according to claim 1, wherein the tube element is a channeltube of a fluid transportation tube for transporting a fluid or of anendo-therapy product insertion channel.
 6. The endoscope according toclaim 1, wherein the integument layer of the pliable tube is formed fromany one of ester-based thermoplastic elastomer, amide-basedthermoplastic elastomer, styrene-based resin, fluorine-based rubber, andsilicon-based rubber, or a resin member made by blending them.
 7. Theendoscope according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slender tubeelement comprises a plurality of slender tube elements which areinserted through the insertion portion, and the amount of contraction ofthe pliable tube is set larger than the amount of contraction of theplurality of slender tube elements.
 8. An endoscope comprising: aflexible tube forming a sheath of the endoscope, this flexible tubehaving an integument layer made of a resin; and at least one slendertube element which is inserted through the flexible tube and of whichthe amount of contraction after application of a thermal load during ahigh-pressure steam sterilization is set smaller than that of theflexible tube.
 9. The endoscope according to claim 8, wherein: theflexible tube comprises the integument layer and a metal tube installedintegrally on the inner perimeter surface side of the integument layer;the integument layer is formed from a resin having a thermal deformationtemperature equivalent to or less than a temperature applied during thehigh-pressure steam sterilization step; and the metal tube is formedunder pliable tube formation conditions while being extended comparedwith being in a natural length condition.
 10. The endoscope according toclaim 9, wherein: the metal tube comprises a helical tube formed from ametal strip and a mesh-shaped tube formed from a thin metal wire; and atleast one of the helical tube and the mesh-shaped tube is formed underthe pliable tube formation conditions while being extended compared withbeing in the natural length condition.
 11. The endoscope according toclaim 8, wherein the integument layer is formed from a resin having athermal deformation temperature equivalent to or less than a temperatureapplied during the high-pressure steam sterilization step, and theintegument layer is formed under pliable tube formation conditions whilebeing extended compared with being in a natural length condition.
 12. Aflexible tube forming a sheath of an endoscope and having an integumentlayer made of a resin; wherein: the amount of contraction thereof afterapplication of a thermal load during a high-pressure steam sterilizationstep is larger than that of a slender tube element inserted therein. 13.A slender tube element inserted through a flexible tube forming a sheathof an endoscope and having an integument layer made of a resin, wherein:the amount of contraction thereof after application of a thermal loadduring a high-pressure steam sterilization step is set smaller than thatof the flexible tube.